Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-07


Thus in the end he is aroused to the fact that he
has paid upon moderate purchase as result
OF the tariff system which, when he sold his wool
seemed SO profitable, an increase in the price
more than sufficient to sweep away all the tariia
and sold.
raising is compared with all the farmers in the
country, and the email proportion they bear to
our population is considered when it is made
apparent that in the case of large part OF those
who own sheep, the benefit of the present tariff
on wool IL 1llusory; and above all, when it must
pc conceded that the increase OF the cost of !1v-
ing caused by such q tariff becomes burden
upon those with moderate means and the poor.
the employed and unemployed, the sick ana
Wen, ana the young and DID, ana that II con-
stltutes tax which, with relentless grasp, Is
fastened upon the clothing of every man, woman
ana child In the land reasons are suggested why
the removal or reduction o. this. duty should be
included in revision of our tariff laws.
In speaking of the increased cost to the con-
sumner OF our home manufactures resulting
from duty laid upon imported articles OF the
same description, the fact is not overlooked that
competition among our domestic producers
sometimes has the effect CT keeping the price of
their products below the highest limit allowed
by such duty But it is notorious that this COM
petition is too often strangled by combinations
quite prevalent at this time, and frequently
called trusts which have for their object the
regulatlon of the supply and price of comm0d1-
ties made and sold by members of the cOmbina-
ton. The people can hardly hope for any con-
s1deratlon in the operation of these selfish
schemes. If, however, in the absence of such
combination healthy and free competition re-
duces the price OF any particular dut1able article
Of home production below the limit which 1t
might otherwise reach under our tariff laws, and
If, with such reduced price, its manufacture con-
tnues to thrive, it is entirely evident that one
thing has been discovered which should be care
fully scrutinized in effort to reduce taxation.
The necessity Of combination 10 maintain the
price of any commodity to the tariff point fur
nishes proof that some one is
WILLING TO ACCEPT LOWER PRICES
for such commodity, and that such prices are re-
munerative and lower prices produced by COM
petition prove the same thing. Thus where either
OF these conditions exist would seem to
be presented for easy reduction of taxation.
The considerations which have been presented
touching our tariff laws are intended only to en-
force an earnest recommendation that the sur
plus revenues of the government be prevented
by the reduction of our customs duties, and, at
the same time, to emphasize q suggestion that
in accomplishing this purpose, wemay discharge
a double duty to our people by granting to
them a measure of relief from tariff
taxation in quarters where it is most needed
and from sources where it can be most fairly
and justly accorded. Nor can the presentation
made of such considerations be- with any degrees
or fairness, regarded as evidence OF untflendl1-
ness toward our manufacturing interests or OF
any lack of appreciation of their value and inn
portance These interests constitute a leading
and most substantial element of our national
greatness and furnish the proud proof OF our
country's progress. But if in the emergency
that presses upon us our manufacturers are asked
to surrender something tor the public good and
to avert disaster, their patriotism, as well as a
grateful recognition OF advantages already AZ
forded, should lead them to willing co-opera-
ton. No demand is made that they shall fore
go all the benefits of governmental regard; but
they cannot fail to be admOnished of their duty,
well their enlightened seIf1nterest and
sa ETY., when they reminded of the tact that
financial panic and collapse, TO which the pres
ent condition tends, afford no greater shelter or
protection to our manufactures than to our other
important enterprises. Opportunity Tor SAFE,
CAREFUL and
DELIBERATE REFORM IS NOW OFFERED;
and none of us should be unmindtul of q time
when an abused and irritated people, needless of
those who have resisted timely and reasonable
relief, may insist upon radical and sweeping
rectifcation of their wrongs.
The difficulty attending q wise and fair re-
vision of our tariff laws is not underestimate
1t will require on the part of the Cons great
labor ana care and especially a broad and ma
tional contemplation of the subject, and a patri-
otto disregard of such local ana selfish claims
are unreasonable and reckless Of the welfare OF
the entire country.
Under our present laws more than 600 articles
are subject to duty. Many of these do not in
any way compete with our own manufactures,
and many hardly worth attention as subjects
OF revenue. A considerable reduction be
made IN the aggregate, by adding them to the
free list. The taxation of luXurles presents no
features of hardship; but the necessaries of life
use and consumed by all the people. the duty
upon width adds to the cost of living in every
home, should be greatly cheapened.
The radical reduction of the duties imposed on
raw material used in manufactures, or its free
importation, is OF course, an important factor in
any effort to reduce the price of these neceSsi-
rieS it would not only relieve them from the in
creased cost caused by the tariff on such mateTi-
al, but the manufactured product being thus
cheapened, that part of the tariff now laid upon
such product, as compensation to manu-
tacturers for the present price of raw material
could be accordingly modified. Sucn reduction,
or free importation, would serve beside to large
ly reduce the revenue. 1t Is not apparent how
SUCH change can have any injurious effect upon
our manufacturers. On the contrary, 1t would
appear 10 give them
BETTER CHANCE IN FOREIGN MARKETS
with tue manufacturers of other countries, who
cheaper their wares by free material. Thus our
people Nigh have the opportunity of extending
their sales beyond the limits of home conSump-
tOn-saving Them ON the dept ession, Interrupt
ton ia business, and less caused by gluted
domestic market and affording their employees
more certain and steady labor, with its result.
ing quiet and contentment.
The question thus imperatively presented for
solution should be approached III q spirit higher
than part1Sanshlp and considered in the light of
that regard TOR patriotic duty which should
characterize the action those inIrusted with
the veal of confding people. But the obliga-
ton to declared party policy and principle is not
wanting to urge prompt and effective action.
Both OF the great political parties now repre-
sented in the government have, by repeated and
authoritative declarations condemned the con-
dition of our laws which permit the collection
from the people OF unnecessary revenue, and
have, in the mast solemn manner, promised It's
correction: and neither as citizens nor partisans
are our countrymen in mood to condone the de-
liberate violation of these pledges.
Our progress toward d wise conclusion Will not
be improved by dwelling upon the theories of
protection and free trade This savors too much
of bandylng eplthets. 1t is condition which
conf1onts us-not a theory. Relief from this
condition may involve slight reduction of the
advantages which we award our home prOduc-
tions but the entire Withdrawal of such advan-
tages should not be contemplated. The question
OF free trade is absolutely irrelevant; and the
persistent claim made in certain quarters that
all efforts to relieve the people from unjust and
unnecessary taxation are schemes OF so called
freo-traders, Is mischievous and far removed
from any consideration for the public good.
The simple and plain duty which we owe the
people is to reduce taxation to the necessary
penses of an economical opel alton OF the gov
eminent and to restore to the business of the
country the money which we hold in the treas
uIy through the
PERvLRsIoN OF GOVERNMENTAL POWERS
These things can and should be done with
safety to all our industries without danger to
the opportunity for remunerative labor which
our wOrklngmen need and with benefit to them
and all our people. by cheapening their means
Of subsistence and increasing the measure of
their comforts.
The constitution provides that the President
''shall, from time to time, give to the Congress
information of the state of the Union.'' 1t has
been the custom of the executive in compliance
Win this provision, to annually exhibit to the
Congress, at the opening of its session. the gen
eral condition Of the country, and to detail, with
some particularly, the operations of the differ